FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT EMMET COUNTY - PAGE 5

PETOSKEY - Incumbent commissioners across Emmet County were able to survive challenges in several Republican primaries, often improving on their numbers from two years ago against familiar opponents. The nominations give all of them an uncontested path to a re-election in November. Emmet County Treasurer Marilyn May, of Pellston, staved off a heavy challenge from current Emmet County District 3 Commissioner Paul Hramiec, of Harbor Springs, who opted to not run for re-election on the board to compete for the county's top financial position.

After almost three years of hard work, Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Emmet County and Lake Michigan shoreline owners have nearly knocked phragmites down. The program began in 2010 with close to 300 separate stands of phragmites spread across almost 7.5 acres in Emmet County. Now, after a recent survey, Petoskey's Tip of the Mitt has found that only 87 stands remain, spread over 3 acres. "What this means for us is that we're on automatic pilot," said Tip of the Mitt program director Grenetta Thomassey.

CHARLEVOIX - A subcommittee tasked with crunching numbers and coming up with a solution for who Charlevoix County should contract with for hauling and processing recyclables did not come up with a uniform suggestion Tuesday. The subcommittee was made up of county commissioner Larry Sullivan, human resources coordinator Kevin Shepard and maintenance supervisor Frank Shaler. Shaler was absent. When the county's recycling committee put out a request for bids in November, it received proposals from four companies.

Duane Beach resigned Thursday as chief assistant prosecutor with the Emmet County Prosecutor's Office, following his second operating while intoxicated arrest in less than three weeks on Wednesday evening. "It's an unfortunate situation," said James Linderman, the Emmet County Prosecutor. "He did a lot to keep the county safe. A very good prosecutor. " According to 90th District Court documentation, Beach has been charged with two misdemeanor counts following his second arrest - operating while intoxicated with a BAC (blood alcohol content)